The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedis.net

THE Giants basketball teams are at opposite ends of the spectrum against the Rockets as the New Providence Basketball Association began its best-of-five championship series over the weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

The Your Essential Store (YES) Giants took a commanding two-game lead over the Sun Oil Rockets in the division II series with a 106-88 blowout in game one on Friday and a 80-74 decision on Sunday.

However, the two-time defending champions Commonwealth Bank Giants found themselves in a 2-0 deficit against the Discount Distributors Rockets, losing 84-75 in Friday's opener and 79-77 in game two on Sunday.

Both do-or-die series will resume on Thursday with the division II between the Giants and Rockets being played at 7pm, followed by the Giants and the Rockets in the division one series at 8:30pm.

Rockets 79, Giants 77: Able Joseph finished with 27 points and Ernest Saunders came through with five of his eight points down the stretch to enable Discount Distributors to seal the deal in game two of their division one series.

"The series is going pretty good. We're up 2-0, so I'm pretty happy with that," said Discount Distributors' head coach Devon Johnson. "The Giants are a very good team. They have been winning in this league for years, but my boys are hungry.

"We came out with a game. We know we could score. But as long as we play defence, we can win."

Roosevelt Whylly contributed 12 points, while David Taylor had nine, Ernest Saunders eight and Livingstone Munnings seven in the win.

Discount Distributors opened an 18-13 first quarter lead, but fell behind Commonwealth Bank 34-32 at the half. The Rockets held a slim 56-53 third quarter lead and they traded the lead until it came down to the end.

For Commonwealth Bank, Adam Johnson also had 27 points, while Jackson Jacob had 19 and Michael Bain Jr, Jeffrey Henfield and Brian Bain all chipped in with nine.

"We knew it was going to be a fight and a battle or both teams. We know that the Rockets are a very good team, but like I told the guys, did it before and it's not over until it's over," said Giants' coach Perry Thompson Sr.

"We just have to regroup and come back and be prepared to play game three. We know how to bounce back, so I am confident that we will get back into it."

Thompson said once they can control the ball and rebound better, Commonwealth Bank will be guaranteed a comeback victory on Thursday night and avoid the three-game sweep.

Although they are in the driver's seat, Johnson said his Rockets are not taking anything for granted.

"We can't count anybody out, but we're going to give it a hell of a try to win it," he stated.

Rockets 84, Giants 75: Livingstone Munnings had 25 points and 22 rebounds to help the Discount Distributors clinch the opening game of their division one series on Friday night.

Able Joseph added 19 points with nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block; David Taylor had 13 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals and Roosevelt Whylly had 12 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Commonwealth Bank was led by Jackson Jacob with 25 points and three rebounds. Jeffrey Henfield had 15 points, three rebounds and two assists and Adam Johnson added 10 points with six rebounds and three steals.

Giants 80, Rockets 74: Dylan Musgrove was one of three players in double figures for Your Essential Store (YES), pouring in a game high 20 points as they took a convincing 2-0 advantage in their division II series.

Kenvon Farrington had 18 points and Kirklyn Farrington added 13.

The Giants held a slim 19-18 lead after the first quarter and held a 39-37 margin at the break. The Rockets responded with a 24-18 tear in the third to go 61-57. But in the final period, the Giants went on a 23-14 spurt as they regained the lead and never looked back.

"This is a young, hungry bunch. They held off the challenge from the Rockets tonight, but they are hungry and determined," said Perry Thompson Sr. "We will come out here on Thursday with one intention and that is to close it out."

Thompson Sr said head coach Mark Hanna prepared the guys to withstand any opposition and they are working together and clicking on all cylinders and are poised to win it all.

Crispin Gibson had 13, Bertrum Minns 11 and both Cameron Cherry and Toppez Basden both ended up with 10 in a losing effort for the Sun Oil.

Giants 106, Rockets 88: In Friday's division II series opener, Dylan Musgrove had an all-around game, scoring 20 points with seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks to pace Commonwealth Bank.

Kirklyn Farrington added 19 points with three rebounds, two assists and two steals; Andreas Black had 16 points and nine rebounds; Raheem Smith had 13 points and 11 rebounds; Edward Williams had 12 points and 14 rebounds and Brandon Strachan had 10 points and four rebounds.

In a losing effort, Lerecus Armbrister exploded for a game high 29 points with two assists and two rebounds, but it wasn't enough. Crosley Wilmore had 24 points and four rebounds and Bertrum Minns had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rockets will have one last chance on Thursday at 7pm to win or get swept by the Giants.

If necessary, the fourth game in both divisions II and one will be played on Saturday night. Game five, should any series be extended that long, will be played on Friday, April 22nd.